SAEDNEWS: Research shows that nutritional problems in children with autism are five times more common than in their peers. Join us in this article to examine the nutritional issues in children with autism.
The first step in addressing nutritional issues in children with autism is to acknowledge that eating difficulties and unusual food behaviors are common. Try not to feel guilty about your child's eating patterns. It's not your fault if your child doesn't eat healthy foods. Your role as a parent is to offer healthier and more nutritious options.
Secondly, it's important to consult a doctor or nutritionist to create a suitable diet plan for your child. If there are concerns, they may recommend dietary supplements. Also, when introducing a more nutritious diet, ensure that your child's health is monitored by a professional.
Many eating problems in children with autism stem from both physiological and behavioral reasons. Here are some major challenges to be aware of:
Limited Food Choices: Children with autism may be more sensitive to certain characteristics like smell, color, texture, and taste. This can lead to resistance to trying new foods. Foods with strong smells, or very soft or very hard textures, may not be appealing to them.
Reluctance to Eat Enough: Some children with autism may not have the endurance to finish their meals. They may find it difficult to spend the necessary time eating.
Constipation: Low activity levels, combined with limited food choices and reluctance to eat vegetables and fiber-rich foods, can lead to constipation in children with autism. This can further exacerbate their nutritional problems.
Medication Interactions: Certain medications prescribed for children with autism may reduce their appetite, while others may increase it but interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. If your child is on medication, be sure to ask the doctor about potential interactions.
Postural Problems: Many children with autism have postural issues that can affect their eating. For example, weak lower muscles may make it difficult for them to sit properly while eating. This can make mealtime challenging.
Insistence on Sameness: Children with autism often have a strong preference for sameness. Introducing new foods can cause severe anxiety. A behavioral therapist experienced with autism can help address this issue.
Here are some practical solutions to help manage nutritional challenges:
Choose Suitable Meals: At each meal and snack, offer a protein, a vegetable or fruit, and a starch, along with a small amount of their favorite chips. While it might seem like a lot, it's important to provide varied food options. During snack time, offer smaller portions with more variety.
See Food from Your Child's Perspective: Create a "grocery store" with your child's plastic toys. Take them shopping and encourage them to touch different foods. Talk about the smells, colors, and textures. Make up songs about the foods. If they don't want to touch the food with their hands, show them how to use a spoon to shape the food into interesting forms. Involve them in snack and meal preparation as much as possible.
Review Your Usual Meal Routines: Even with busy schedules, try to have family meals. Sit at the table for at least 15 minutes during lunch and dinner. Your child may not eat anything at first, but being around others eating exposes them to the smells and sights of food, which are positive steps towards tasting and eating.
Don't Wait for Your Child to Feel Hungry: Children with autism may not feel hunger and fullness like other kids. Serve meals according to a schedule rather than waiting for them to say they are hungry.
Offer a Snack Every 2.5 Hours: To avoid constant snacking, offer a meal or snack every 2.5 hours throughout the day. Keep the timing consistent to help your child understand when it's time to eat.
Implement these strategies patiently, and remember that progress takes time. With consistent effort, you can help your child develop healthier eating habits.
Remember that children with autism thrive on structured routines. Use a written list or pictures to show meal and snack times throughout the day. Place this schedule in their room, the kitchen, and other places where they spend a lot of time. You can use a timer or alarm clock to let them know that mealtime is approaching. It's best to give your child time to prepare before eating, which can help reduce mealtime anxiety.
Occupational therapy often uses certain movements to "wake up" the body and senses of the child. Physical exercise before eating can be a fun way to prepare children for meals. Even if it's just moving around the table with music, it can help.
Parents naturally worry about their children's nutritional issues, but it's important to manage this worry. Consciously reduce your anxiety or other negative emotions. Try to create a positive atmosphere during meals. Believe that your child will celebrate any success!
Offer your child the same food that the rest of the family is eating, even if you think they might refuse it. Let them sit at the table while everyone else is eating. Remember that seeing and smelling food can encourage them to try eating it later. Serve food on special plates and let your child serve themselves. If they are capable, ask them to pass the plate to the next family member.
Children with autism often have medical conditions that make eating unpleasant. These conditions can include dental cavities, physical issues with chewing, and acid reflux. Ensure that your child's doctor checks for any symptoms and diagnoses any potential illnesses.
Many children with autism experience significant anxiety as mealtime approaches. This can be due to aversion and fear of unfamiliar foods. Forcing a child to eat can increase their anxiety. Fear and anxiety trigger the body's "fight or flight" response, reducing appetite. To counteract this, parents should help their child relax for a few minutes before eating. One way to do this is by practicing deep breathing exercises together for five minutes.
It's important for families to eat together at the table. Sitting together and the surrounding environment helps children with autism learn necessary behavioral cues. For example, a child's bed signals bedtime. Similarly, the family dinner table can signal mealtime for a child with autism.
Eating together also helps children learn behaviors by mimicking others. After observing others, a child may try putting new foods in their mouth. Often, the first step is eliminating habits like eating in front of the TV or other inappropriate settings. Parents should start by having their child sit at the table, even if only for a minute. With praise and small rewards, gradually increase the time to about 20 minutes. Reassure your child that they don't have to eat; just keep the food accessible to them during the meal.
Many children with autism have weaknesses in their core muscles, which can lead to poor posture, slumping, and discomfort while sitting at the table. Take their posture into account and help them sit more comfortably.
If you notice your child leaning, slumping, or trembling at the table, try placing folded towels behind and under them for additional support. Ensure their feet are supported; if they don't reach the ground, place a stool in front of the chair and under the table.
Some children may feel afraid or anxious about new foods placed in front of them. Gradually and incrementally introducing new foods can help alleviate this fear.
As much as possible, try to ignore challenging behaviors at the table. Many children learn that spitting, whining, hitting the table, and similar actions allow them to escape eating meals. In these situations, talking about the food can help redirect their attention away from negative behavior. Ask questions to involve the whole family, such as:
Does the food have a strong or mild smell?
How is this bread different from the usual bread?
What sound does this food make when you chew it?
Is this a wet food or a dry food?
What other foods are similar to tonight's dinner?
Children with autism are more sensitive to their environment compared to others. Create a stress-free environment for meals by using soft lighting, avoiding clutter and excessive variety, and ensuring a quiet atmosphere. Allow your child to choose a comfortable chair.
Variety can be overwhelming for children, so reduce the number of food options to help them make decisions more easily.
Nutritionists can help select the best foods to improve the appetite of children with autism. Some foods can cause bloating in children with autism, and eliminating these with a nutritionist's guidance can play a crucial role in improving their nutrition.
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